scr 

tetoii 


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Awi.  r\  an  colo/i i za-,  ton  society, 


Af 


r icavi 


co  I o/ii  z.cA’t  toin 


A-wve'rv  ravi  Cal  o-v\  i ^.ott ' b cliffy" 

AFRICAN  COLONIZATION. 


LETTER  FROM  PROFESSOR  THOMAS  C.  UPHAM,  D.  D. 

The  following  interesting  letter  is  from  the  Rev.  Thomas 
C.  Upham,  D.  D.,  for  more  than  forty  years  Professor  of  Mental 
and  Moral  Philosophy  in  Bowdoin  College,  Maine,  and  the 
popular  author  of  several  standard  volumes: 

New  York,  April  20,  1870. 

Rev.  John  Orctjtt,  D.  D. 

Dear  Sir:  Deprived  by  age  and  physical  infirmity  of  the  privilege  of 
taking  a part  in  the  more  public  efforts  of  the  friends  of  African  Colonization, 
I ask  the  favor,  nevertheless,  to  express  through  you  my  continued  interest, 
and  my  full  and  unquestioning  faith  in  this  noble  and  divine  cause.  My 
connection  with  the  Colonization  Society  goes  back  some  forty  yeare;  and 
from  the  beginning  I have  never  doubted.  In  the  darkest  days,  when  the 
Society  was  assailed  on  every  side,  and  not  without  some  show  of  reason,  my 
faith,  looking  beyond  human  errors  to  the  wisdom  of  a controlling  Provi- 
dence, has  remained  unshaken. 

Often  in  my  solitary  hours,  not  less  than  when  pleading  before  God  with 
my  fellow-Christians  for  the  restoration  of  erring  humanity,  have  I seen  and 
heard,  in  the  depths  of  my  spirit,  the  groans  and  the  tears  of  suffering  Africa. 
But  I did  not,  and  could  not,  at  any  period  of  my  life,  disconnect  the  inter- 
ests of  Africa  from  the  interests  of  the  negro  race  in  this  country.  I did  not 
remember  Africa  and  forget  the  slave.  In  common  with  many  others  I have 
felt  deeply  the  great  wrong  of  American  slavery ; and  my  efforts,  sympathy, 
and  prayers  have  been  with  those  who  have  labored  for  its  termination. 
With  me  the  two  things  have  gone  together.  I have  been  unable  to  separate 
in  my  thoughts  and  in  my  deepest  convictions  the  connection  of  the  disen- 
thralled and  regenerated  slave  with  the  liberation  of  the  land  from  which 
he  came.  But  this  connection,  standing  clear  and  firm  in  the  convictions  of 
many  reflecting  men,  has  not  as  yet  found  time  to  be  fully  realized.  The 
slave  is  free,  but  Africa  is  not  redeemed.  The  slave  stands  forth  an  Amer- 
ican citizen,  with  the  light  of  civilization  and  of  Christianity,  as  well  as  of 
freedom  thrown  around  him;  but  the  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  Africa  are 
still  almost  universally  in  the  bondage  of  ignorance,  cruelty,  and  barbarous 
superstition.  Tbe  means  which  were  applicable  to  the  restoration  of  other 
heathen  lands  and  nations, — the  grand  missionary  work  which  has  been 
carried  on  by  the  white  race  in  other  parts  of  the  world, — has  been  found  in 
a great  degree  inapplicable  here.  So  much  so  that  many  noble  hearts  have 
trembled  before  the  difficulties  of  the  problem,  and  have  felt  that  human  wis- 
dom was  not  adequate  to  its  solution. 


2 


African  Colonization. 


But  at  this  point  of  perplexity  and  darkness  God  unveils  more  clearly  to 
our  view  tho  great  plans  which,  amid  clouds  and  shadows,  amid  wrongs  and 
sufferings,  required  the  elaboration  of  centuries.  A new  power  has  arisen  ; 
a nation  has  been  born  in  a day;  and  the  heart  and  the  eye  of  Africa  are 
turned  towards  her  own  children;  and,  with,  extended  arms,  and  with  more 
than  the  old  Macedonian  cry,  she  exclaims:  “Come  over  and  help  us.” 

Some  have  supposed  that  this  loud  cry  will  be  unheeded;  that  the  posses- 
sion of  new  rights,  or  rather  of  old  rights  newly  acknowledged,  will  so 
intoxicate  and  benumb  the  hearts  of  our  colored  brethren  that  they  will  not 
listen.  I cannot  believe  it.  I do  not  so  understand  the  qualities  of  the 
negro  race.  The  attributes  which  constitute  their  character  are  not  justly 
estimated.  When  they  shall  have  received,  year  after  year,  the  instructions 
of  colleges,  we  shall  be  able  to  pronounce  more  decisively  upon  the  powers 
of  their  intellect.  But  intellectual  traits  alone  do  not  constitute  the  whole 
of  humanity.  The  colored  race  manifest  a docility,  a patience,  a depth  of 
feeling,  a quickness  of  sympathy,  a facility  of  religious  belief,  an  apprecia- 
tion of  the  kind,  the  good,  and  the  joyous  in  life,  which  mark  them  as  a 
people  who  have  a higher  work  to  do  than  to  sit  down  in  idleness. 

It  is  very  true  that  they  will  not  go,  and  ought  not  to  go,  contrary  to 
their  own  convictions.  But  on  this  point  I have  no  anxiety.  The  great 
God,  who  has  watched  over  them  from  the  beginning,  who  has  marked  their 
tears  and  heard  their  supplications,  and  in  His  own  time  has  broken  the 
chains  of  their  bondage,  will  soon  reveal  to  them  the  heights  of  their  destiny, 
and  will  crown  with  a new  glory  the  degradation  which  He  has  redeemed. 
It  will  not  satisfy  the  African  heart  that  the  negro  is  recognized  as  a man, 
that  he  is  an  American  citizen,  that  he  has  the  right  of  suffrage,  that  he  has  a 
seat  in  the  Senate;  but  with  all  the  rights  of  an  American,  and  educated  in 
the  best  institutions  of  the  country,  he  will  find  the  God  who  has  saved  him 
opening  his  interior  vision  to  behold  the  glory  of  being  a co-worker  in  pro- 
claiming the  truths  of  freedom  and  justice,  of  civilization  and  Christianity 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  Africa.  Do  not  doubt  it.  Let  the  long- 
agitated  question  of  the  comparative  mental  position  of  the  African  race  cease. 
A century  hence,  and  perhaps  much  sooner,  with  the  advantage  of  freedom  and 
of  equal  education,  the  question  will  be  settled  on  the  philosophical  basis  of 
ascertained  lacts,  and  will  be  settled  forever. 

It  is  enough  for  us  to  know,  in  the  light  of  the  revelations  which  have 
become  a part  of  history,  that  God  is  with  the  negro;  and  to  know  that  the 
negro,  no  longer  debased  or  restrained  by  slavery,  will  follow  God’s  leading, 
whether  his  mission  be  here  or  elsewhere.  Undoubtedly  multitudes  will  stay 
hero;  America  will  be  their  home ; both  for  their  benefit  and  for  our  own.  But 
other  multitudes,  touched  with  a higher  inspiration  and  moulded  to  higher 
issues,  will,  within  the  course  perhaps  of  a single  century,  reveal  the  African 
desert  blossoming  as  the  rose;  and  civilization  and  Christianity  flourishing 
under  the  protection  of  a system  of  republics,  constituting  under  their  own 
flag  the  United  States  of  Africa. 

In  this  great  work,  which  constitutes  a part  of  God’s  remedial  system  for 
the  restoration  of  the  world,  colonization  can  now  nobly  lead.  The  way  is 
now  open  for  more  energetic  and  widely-extended  action,  without  the  fears 
and  doubts,  and  the  liabilities  to  error,  which  have  perplexed  the  past.  And 


African  Colonization. 


3 


it  cannot  be  doubted,  that  many  influential  men,  who  have  hitherto  stood 
aloof,  are  now  ready  for  co-operation. 

The  day  in  which  we  live  is  remarkable  for  great  and  comprehensive  plans. 
And  these  plans,  so  far  as  they  originate  in  the  great  source  of  all  good,  are 
not  likely  to  fail.  Let  me  say,  therefore,  that  the  hour  has  come.  The  men, 
the  only  class  of  men  who  are  adequately  fitted  for  the  task,  are  ready.  Let 
there  be  no  want  of  means.  Combine  unity  of  purpose  with  unity  of  action ; 
and  let  purpose  and  action  go  hand  in  hand  with  prayer  and  faith,  which 
constitute  the  great  elements  of  success. 

With  sentiments  of  most  respectful  and  sincere  regard, 

I remain,  yours, 

Thomas  C.  Upham. 

TWO  NEW  SETTLEMENTS  IN  LIBERIA. 

Mr.  Henry.  W.  Dennis,  Agent  of  the  American  Colonization 
Society  in  Liberia,  thus  reports  the  formation  of  two  settle- 
ments in  that  Bepublie;  the  emigrants  and  means  for  which 
were  embarked  on  the  Society’s  Ship  Golconda,  from  Norfolk, 
Va.,  November  11,  1869: 

Monrovia,  March  3,  1870. 

My  Dear  Sir:  My  last  letter  to  you  was  dated  January  7,  via  England, 
in  which  I apprized  you  of  the  arrival  of  the  Golconda  with  her  company  of 
emigrants,  and  I informed  you  that  it  was  my  purpose  to  go  up  the  St.  Paul’s 
river  on  the  11th,  in  company  with  the  leading  men  of  the  Arthington  and 
Brewer  companies,  to  visit  the  sites  selected  for  their  location.  We  did  so. 
We  went  as  far  as  Millsburg  in  boats:  here  we  had  to  land  in  consequence 
of  the  obstructions  in  the  river,  and  walked  thence  to  Muhlenburg,  which  I 
should  judge  to  be  about  two  miles  above  Millsburg.  After  taking  a few 
minutes’  rest  and  in  looking  around  at  Muhlenburg,  we  proceeded  about  a mile 
higher  up  on  the  banks  of  the  river.  From  Millsburg  up  to  the  distance  we 
travelled,  and  as  far  as  we  could  see,  the  river  is  obstructed  with  solid  masses 
of  stone,  and  it  is  impossible  for  boats  to  pass.  There  are  narrow  streams 
running  between  the  rocks  that  will  admit  the  passage  of  small  canoes,  and 
these  have  to  be  managed  by  expert,  experienced,  active  canoemen  to  pass  in 
safety.  I learn  from  the  people  at  Millsburg  that  these  obstructions  in  the 
river  extend  about  six  miles  up  from  Millsburg.  In  our  dry  season  the 
rocks  are  mostly  uncovered. 

After  looking  around  at  the  surrounding  country,  the  advantages  and  dis- 
advantages to  locate  in  that  neighborhood  were  discussed  among  those  present, 
and  all  of  them  decided  that  they  could  not  settle  there.  We  returned  to 
Millsburg  that  evening  about  six  o’clock,  where  we  passed  the  night.  The 
next  day  several  of  the  other  places  on  the  river  were  visited  by  the  men  on 
their  way  down,  and  we  reached  Monrovia  about  twilight.  After  our  return, 
the  site  for  their  location  was  again  discussed.  Some  wanted  to  go  up  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Muhlenburg,  some  proposed  Caldwell,  some  Clay-Ashland, 
some  Virginia,  and  some  White  Plains.  But  after  a few  days  further 
deliberation,  the  Arthington  company,  headed  by  Mr.  Alonzo  Hoggard, 
decided  to  take  their  lands  in  the  neighborhood  of  Muhlenburg,  but  not  on 
the  river,  as  the  river  could  be  of  no  service  to  them,  and  the  lands  near  its 


4 


African  Colonization. 


banks  not  being,  in  their  opinion,  as  good  as  the  lands  farther  back.  The 
Brewer  company  decided  to  locate  in  the  rear  of  Virginia,  and  would  not 
consent  to  locate  near  the  other  company.  Lands  for  both  companies  have 
been  surveyed  for  them,  and  for  several  weeks  they  have  been  busily  engaged 
in  clearing  off  their  lots  and  in  getting  out  lumber  for  their  houses.  I am 
assisting  them  to  do  this  by  paying  persons  to  help  them.  Since  they  have 
commenced  operations  I have  not  been  able  to  get  up  to  their  place  to  see 
their  progress,  but  I learn  from  them  and  others  that  they  are  driving  ahead 
finely.  They  go  up  from  here  on  Mondays  and  return  on  Fridays  or  Satur- 
days of  each  week.  I provide  boats  for  the  travelling  to  and  fro,  and  have 
furnished  them  with  the  necessary  tools  for  their  work.  Mr.  Hoggard  tells 
me  that  he  will  be  ready  in  two  weeks’  time  to  take  his  family  up,  and  soon 
the  others  will  also  be  ready  to  have  their  families  moved  up.  I am  anxious 
to  have  the  most  of  them  on  their  own  places  by  the  middle  of  May,  before 
our  heavy  weather  sets  in.  With  the  exception  of  one  or  two  of  the  males, 
who  appear  to  have  but  little  idea  of  farming,  having  grown  up  probably  in 
some  town  or  city,  they  seem  cheerful  and  pleased  with  their  prospects,  and 
manifest  no  discontent. 

Yours,  very  truly, 

H.  W.  Dennis. 


THE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  OF  LIBERIA. 

The  following  gratifying  intelligence  is  taken  from  a letter 
dated  Monrovia,  March  7 : 

“I  beg  to  mention  here  that  our  Government  proposes  to  increase  the 
number  and  improve  the  character  of  her  public  schools.  To  effect  this,  a 
law  has  been  passed  creating  a Commissioner  of  Education  for  each  county, 
and  defining  the  duties  of  the  same.  Rev.  G.  W.  Gibson  has  been  appointed 
as  such  for  Montserado  county,  and  it  is  believed  will  do  all  in  his  power  to 
carry  out  the  objects  contemplated  in  the  law.  He  hopes,  it  is  said,  to  open 
a school  in  April  next  in  every  settlement  in  his  district.  Books  suitable  for 
common  schools  are  greatly  needed.” 


OPENING  COMMUNICATIONS. 

In  writing  on  the  subject  of  opening  a road  from  Sierra 
Leone  to  the  Niger  river,  Governor  Kennedy  says: 

“It  is  a matter  of  great  commercial  importance  to  this  settlement  to 
have  the  road  open  to  the  Niger,  in  the  Sangara  country,  and  Mr.  Reade 
has  nearly  accomplished  this,  having  reached  as  far  as  Falaba;  and,  if  he 
gets  no  farther,  I have  made  arrangements  with  the  son  of  a chief  who 
will  guaranty  the  safety  of  any  one  I may  send  next  dry  season.  I 
myself  came  to  this  Coast  in  the  first  mail  (a  commercial)  steamer  (the  Fore- 
runner) which  ever  came  to  West  Africa,  and  there  are  now  four  first-class 
steamers  per  month  running  out  and  home  full  of  cargo.  I see  no  limit  to 
the  development  of  trade  on  this  Coast,  if  we  can  extend  our  influence  and 
maintain  peace  in  the  interior .” 


Published  by  the  American  Colonization  Society. 


